Steam distributor for vacuumizing containers in sealing machines



April i3, 1 948. J. Hou-n. ET Al.

STEAM DISTRIBUTOR FOR VACUUMIZING CONTAINERS IN SEALING 'l-ACHINES Filed March 2,' 1945 2 Sheets-She'et 1 3 rvu ana/tow :fm1/v Hom',

M m M MW www April l3,'71948. J. HQI-H.' Erm. )l

ySTEAM DISTRIBUTOR FOR VACUUMIZING CONTAINERS IN SEALING MACHINES Filed March 2, '1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ai .La

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wHNHaHL LnI/Buz'xl/Ja my M Q37 j e muy@ Patented Apr. i3, I1948 STEAM DISTRIBUTOR FOR VACUUMIZNG CONTAINERS IN SEALING MACHINES John non! and olav Blering. Toledo. ohio, as-

signors to Owens-Illinois corporationof Ohio Glass Company, a

Application March 2, 1945, Serial No. 580,556

Our invention relates to machines for closing and sealing jars, bottles or other containers which have been filled with any desired coinmodities such as fruits, vegetables. or the like, which are packed and sealed while hot. The invention relates particularly to novel means for enveloping the containers or` the mouth ends thereof in an atmosphere of steam during th capping and sealing operations.

An object of the invention is to provide novel and improved apparatus for enveloping the ends of the containers which are tobe sealed in an atmosphere of steam, for maintaining the steam in a comparatively quiescent condition and for eiectively displacing atmospheric air Without disturbing the contents of the containers.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel land improved means for expanding the steam and for removing condensed moisture therefrom before it is broughtin contact with the containers.

A further object of the invention is'to provide a simple and practical construction providing removable protecting devices to overlie the containers during the steam treatment and which may be-easily and quickly removed and replaced Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation at the line I--Il I on Fig. 3.

Figs. and 6 are cross sections on a larger scale, taken respectively at the lines 5--5 and 6 6 on Fig. 3. y

The invention is herein illustrated as applied to a machine for capping and sealing jars, of the type disclosed in the patent'to Hohl, No. 2,357,826, September 12, 1944, Capping machine, to which patent reference may be had for full disclosure of the construction and operation of such a machine. i

Referring to'Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings:

The machine comprises an endless belt conveyor Ill driven continuously for conveying containers II through the machine.- The containers 1o claim.I (ci. 22e-s2) are herein shown as jars to which caps I2' are applied. The Jars are lled with any desired commodities such as fruits or vegetables, the

illling material being introduced while hot and the jars capped and sealed while the contents are still hot. The jars as they are carried forv ward with the conveyor pass in succession beneath an inclined chute I3 down which the caps .are fed.' and each jar as it passes beneath the lower end of the chute draws a cap therefrom. The jar as it advances beyond the chute is brought beneath the sealing device comprising a ram I4 which moves downward and forces the cap into sealing position on the lar. Side belts I5 which are driven with the conveyor III, guide the jars in their forward travel. A casing i6 is provided to enclose the above described mechanism. The parts thus far described and the means for driving and operating the moving parts. may be the same as disclosed in the above mentioned PatentNo. 2,357,826. y

The means for subjecting thev container to an atmosphere of steam during the capping and sealing operation will now be described. Such means includes a steam distributor comprising a steam chest 20 extending lengthwise over the conveyor I0 and spaced thereabove to permit the passage of the containers II. The forward end of the steam chest is directly behind and close to the cap chute I3. The steam chest is divided into separate chambers 2l and 22 by a vertical partition wall 23 formed with a multiplicity of openings or perforations 24 therethrough, said perforations being uniformly distributed over substantially the entire area of the plate.

The bottom of the steam chest comprises a removable plate 25. The side walls of the steam chest are formed with longitudinal slotted ribs 28 which serve as guideways in which the bottom plate 25 is slidably mounted, permitting it to be readily withdrawn and replaced by other bottom plates interchangeable therewith and adapted for use with diilerent sizes and shapes of containers. The portion of the plate 25 which serves as a bottom for the chamber 2| is impervious, and that portion thereof which overlies the chamber 22 is'provided with perforations 21 which are closely spaced and distributed over the major portion'o'f the bottom area ofthe chamber 22, except a central strip or portion which may be left impervious. A central longitudinal spacer bar 28 is attached to the lower face of the plate 25 directly over the path of the jars Il, said bar being of somewhat greater width than the caps I2.` The bar 28 is in close proximity to the open tops ci the jars traveling therebeneath, and serves as a protection against disturbance or displacement ofthe contents of the jars by the action of the circulating steam.

Dry steam from a conveniently located steam separator, enters the steam chest through a conduit 30 which opens into the chamber 2|. The latter is divided into separate compartments 2|* and 2|h by an imperforate baiiie plate 3|. The length and Width of the plate are somewhat less than the cross-sectional area of the chamber 2|, to provide a rather narrow passageway 32 surrounding said plate which permits the passage of steam to the compartment 2lb. The plate 3| serves to arrest any` condensed moisture in the steam and also reduces the pressure of the steam entering the compartment 2|", which serves as an expansion chamber.

The steam passes from the compartment 2lb through the perforated wall 23 or baiie plate into the expansion chamber 22 Ain which it is further expanded. From the chamber 22 the steam passes downward through the perforations 21 in the bottom plate 25.- An atmosphere of steam is thus supplied beneath the steam chest 20. in position to envelope the upper end portions of the jars il as they are carried along beneath the steam chest. The imperforate portion of the bottom plate 25 with the underlying spacer bar 28 prevents the steam from being blown through the open top of the jar directly against the material therein. The upper portion of the open jar' and its exposed contents are thus carried through a quiescent zone while enveloped in the steam.

Strips 33 of sheet material are attached to the lower surface of the plate 25 and extend along its side margins. The strips extend downwardly andare curvedinwardly beneath the perforated areas of theplate and serve as steam deflectors f to direct and conne the steam to the zone through which the jars, or the upper end portions thereof, are passing. 'I'he width of the spacer bar 28 and the position of the deflectors 33 are adapted to the size of the jars or diameters of mouths of the jars. When a change is made in the size of the jars or containers being processed, the bottom plate 25 can be quickly removed and replaced by another in which the spacer bar and deectors are adapted to such change.

In order to retain the lar top and caps in an atmosphere of steam after the caps have been loosely applied, the distributor is provided with an extension member which forms a steam duct. The member 35 is attached to the forward end portion of the distributor. The duct extends forwardly and downwardly from a port 36 in 'a side wall of the chamber 2li, and is formed with an elongated discharge opening 31 extending along the path of the upper end portions of the jars at one side thereof. Part of the steam admitted to the chamber 20 flows through the duct 35 and is directed against the top portions ofthe jars and the caps thereon, enveloping them in an atmosphere of steam which extends forward substantially to the sealing zone.

The exhaust steam may be withdrawn from the housing i6, as by means of a suction fan (not shown).` The exhaust steam andv air are discharged through a duct 38.

Modifications may be resorted to within theA spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim:

1. The combination of a horizontally-traveling conveyor, a steam distributor comprising a steam chest extending lengthwise of the conveyor and 4 spaced thereabove to provide a passage for open top-containers supported on and traveling with the conveyor, the door of said chest being substantially at and horizontal and having a multiplicity of perforations therethrough distributed over areas extending lengthwise thereof, said floor having a central imperforate section extending lengthwise thereof between said perforated areas in position to overlie the tops of the said containers, said perforated areas being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of and defining the margins of said imperforate section.

2. The combination of a horizontally-traveling conveyor, a steam distributor vcomprising a steam chest extending lengthwise of the conveyor and spaced thereabove to provide a passage for open top containers supported on and traveling with the conveyor, the oor of said chest being substantially at and horizontal and having a multiplicity of perforations therethrough distributed over areas extending lengthwise thereof, and a spacing bar underlying the said oor and extending lengthwise of the floor and conveyor in position to overlie the upper open ends of the containers, said perforated areas being parallel with said spacing bar and symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the bar and adjacent thereto.

3.' The combination of a horizontaily-traveimg conveyor, a steam distributor comprising a steam chest extending lengthwise of the conveyor and spaced thereabove to provide a passage for open top containers supported on and traveling with the conveyor, said steam chest comprising a b0ttom plate forming a ilcor for the chest, said plate being slidably mounted for movement lengthwise of the chest for removal therefrom, said plate having an intermediate imperforate section extending lengthwise thereof over the path of the containers and perforated areas -extending lengthwise'thereof at opposite sides of said imperforate section, said areas each including a multiplicity of perforations distributed thereover, and de'ilectors mounted at the underside of the said bottom plate and extending lengthwise thereof adjacent to the side edges of the plate in position to deflect steamkpassing through said perforations, inwardly toward said imperforate section for enveloping the top portions of the containers in an atmosphere of steam while traveling beneath said steam chest.

-4. The combination of a horizontally-traveling conveyor, a steam distributor comprising a steam chest extending lengthwise of the conveyor and spaced thereabove to provide a passage for open top containers supported on and traveling with the conveyor, the floor of said chest having a multiplicity oi perfcrations therethrough distributed over areas extending lengthwise thereof, said floor having a central imperforate section extending lengthwise thereof between said perforated areas in position to overlie the tops of the said containers. said perforated areas being symmetrically disposed on opposite sides of and defining the margins of said imperforate section, means for applying caps loosely to the traveling containers when they reach a point adjacent to the forward end of said steam chest, sealing means spaced'forwardly of the steam chest for sealing the caps on the containers, and means for enveloping the upper ends of the containers with the caps thereon in angatmosphere of steam during their forward travel to the sealing means.

5. A steam distributor comprising a steam chest extending horizontally, a baiile wall separating said chest into separate chambers, said wall 6 y being formed with a multiplicity of perforations the maior portion o! said wall for the passage of distributed over its area for the passage theresteam, means for introducing steam into said rethrough of steam, means for introducing steam ceiving chamber, the iloor of said discharge chamlnto one of said chambers at one end of the chest, ber being formed with a multiplicity of perforathe other said chamber having a. multiplicity of 5 tions therethrough for the passage of steam, said perforations extending through and distributed floor perforations being distributed over areas exover the iioor thereof, and a vertically-disposed tending lengthwise along the path of the containbaille plate interposed between said perforated ers at opposite sides of said path, and a conduit baille wall and the entrance to the steam chest, having one end in communication with said dissaid baille plate being imperforate and dividing l0 charge chamber and extending forwardly therethe enclosing chamber into individual compartfrom, said conduit having an elongated discharge ments, said plate being of a size and in a position outlet opening extending lengthwise of the path to provide a. restricted passageway surrounding of said containers and directed toward said path the plate between the edges thereof and the surfor directing steam against the upper end porrounding walls of the chamber. tions of the containers.

6. A steam distributor comprising a steam chest 9. A steam distributor comprising a. steam chest extending horizontally and having a iloor in a extending horizontally and having a iioor in a substantially horizontal plane and of greater substantially horizontal plane and of greater length than width, said chest being of approxilength than width, said chest being of approximately uniform cross-sectional area throughout mately uniform cross-sectional area throughout its length, a vertically disposed baille wall extendits length, a vertically disposed baille wall extending transversely of the chest and dividing it into ing transversely of the chest and dividing it intoA two separate chambers, said wall being formed two separate chambers, said wall being formed with a multiplicity of perforations distributed with a multiplicity of perforations distributed over a major portion of its area for the passage over a major portion of its area for the passage therethroughof steam, and means forintroducing therethrough of steam, and means for intresteam into one of said chambers at one end of ducing steam into one of said chambers at one the chest, the floor of the other chamber having end of the chest, the oor of the other said chama multiplicity of perforations extending thereber having an imperforate section extending through and distributed thereover. a lengthwise of the chest and positioned centrally 7. Apparatus for sealing jars or other conintermediate the side walls of the chest, said last tainers, comprising a steam distributor including mentioned iioor being formed with a multiplicity a horizontally-disposed steam chest having a of perforations extending therethrough and dishorizontal floor, means for supporting and contributed over areas of the oor extending along veying the said containers lengthwise beneath the opposite sides of said imperforate section. said chest. a vertical transverse wall extending 10. The combination of a horizontally-travelupwardlyfromtheoorperpendiculartothepath ving conveyor, a steam distributor comprising a oi' the containers and dividing said chest .into a steam chest extending lengthwise of the conveyor receivingchamberandadischaxgechamber,said andspacedthereabovetoprovideapassagefor wall being formed with a. multiplicity of periorau* open top containers supported on and traveling tions extending therethrough and distributed with the conveyor, said steam chest comprising a themajorportionofsaidwalllorthe bottomplateformingaoorforthechestsaid steam, and means for introducing steam into said plate being slidably mounted for movement receivingchambentheiioorofsaid lengthwisenfthechesttotremovalthereirom. chamberbeingformedwithamultipllcityofpersaid plate having an intermediate impertorate felations therethrough fortheofsteam, sectionextendinglengthwisethereofoverthepath said floor perforations being over ofthecontainersandperloratedareasextending areasextendinglengthwiseahmgthepathofthe. lengthwise thereof at oppositesldesofsaidimcontainersatopposltesidesotsaidmtm perforate section. said areas each including a aapparamsforsealmgjusorotheremtainu muitlpliaityotperfmtiomthewer. emasteama JOHN HOHL.

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